Nicodemus – A Question Answered

Spiritual Treasure from John's Gospel

Nicodemus – A Question Answered

John 3:14-21

 

Nicodemus was told that he needed a new nature in order to be a part of God's kingdom. That naturally leads him to ask this question; "How does this come about?" (vs9)  Jesus didn't lecture Nicodemus about changing his distorted religious practices, nor did He speak of specific sins. He addressed the larger matter of the sin nature – the fallen nature that compels a man to cover himself with a fig leaf and run for the bushes when God comes calling. It is this nature that causes a man to love darkness because the light exposes the wilderness that exists in his heart. Still, Jesus doesn't force Nicodemus into the light, He invites him in. Nicodemus will be inclined to walk into the light if he understands that Jesus came to express the Father's love and to bring eternal life.

 

Jesus does mention condemnation and its result (man will perish) – but He focuses on what the Son has done so that man will not experience judgment (3:16-18). At the cross we see the awful wrath of God toward our sin at the very same moment we see His mercy and love, for "God so loved, that He gave. . ."   The Father sent His beloved Son to be lifted up on the cross so that the sinner will be lifted out of the corruption of his fleshly nature.  Jesus invites us into the light, for that is where we see our need for a savior and the gift of life He offers. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

We live in a world that is estranged from God, but we can participate in the things of God as we habitually live in the light and practice the truth. As we do, the world will see that our deeds are rooted in dependence upon God (3:21) . . .

And His glory will be seen on earth!

Nicodemus and the Spiritual Conundrum

 Spiritual Treasure from John's Gospel

 

Nicodemus and the Spiritual Conundrum

John 3:1-13

 

Nicodemus was drawn to Jesus – there was something about Him – something worth pursuing. Under cover of darkness, Nicodemus found Jesus and began to speak to Him as one teacher to another. He was prepared to begin an intellectual discussion with someone who obviously had worthy credentials (vs 2). But the Lord Jesus, using the Jewish leader's desire to be part of the kingdom of God, began to draw him out of the darkness of human reason and into the light of spiritual truth. Jesus told him, "If you are not born from above, you cannot participate in the kingdom of God."

 

Nicodemus responded to the Lord with a question that exposed his natural, fleshly thinking: he asked how a grown man could enter a second time into his mother's womb. This religious leader is the quintessential example of 'that which is born of the flesh.' Human reason is fleshly, it will not lead to the knowledge of God or comprehension of the things of God.

 

Jesus came from heaven to testify about what He has personally seen there (vs 11-13), and yet these things are not understood by men because flesh cannot understand spiritual things. The flesh might find Jesus appealing or interesting.  It will try to live by the Ten Commandments, take part in religious activities and ceremonies, or commit to making the world a better place in which to live. But how will fleshly people see and respond to heavenly things? They never will!

 

Heavenly things are seen and understood by those who have a heavenly nature – a nature born of the Spirit of God. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. To participate in the things of God you must have a nature that originates from God Himself –

 

You must be born from above!

 

Spiritual Treasure from John’s Gospel

 

New Wine, A New Kind of Joy

John 2:1-11

 

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.      John 1:18 NIV

 

Jesus left the Father's side in heaven; He came to earth in order to reveal the glory of God and to demonstrate the Father's heart to mankind.  "The Word was made flesh" – so that He could translate the thoughts of His Father into human language and express His Father's heart through gracious service to mankind.  

 

The Creator of life 'speaks' about  the joy of new life through His first miracle at a wedding in Cana.  When the good wine ran out, the master of the feast was amazed to sample better wine.  Even the wonderful joys of earth (symbolized by good wine) are fleeting . . .  they run out, they pass away.  Jesus offers new wine to those who will receive it – it has not been cultivated using earthly principles nor is it produced by any man – it has a heavenly source. This new wine flows from the heart of God, pouring resurrection life into His new creation (2Cor. 5:17)!  

 

We are given a glimpse of God's glorious character and power with this miracle as the Lord Jesus pulls back the veil, revealing the Father's desire to secure everlasting joy for us.  

 

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory. . .   John 2:11 NIV

Hearts Hungry for Jesus

Spiritual Treasure from John's Gospel

Hearts Hungry for Jesus

 

The opening chapter of the Gospel of John speaks of the eternal Word of God who became a human person. Why?  So He could dwell among us – not in a tabernacle, or a temple, or any sort of man-made structure.  John doesn't proclaim 'Jesus the King'– his focus is on the beloved Son of God who came to reveal the Father to us.  The disciple whom Jesus loved writes about the love of Jesus in a way that no other person does; the events he includes in his gospel amplify these two statements:

 

We beheld His glory . . . full of grace [favor and lovingkindness] and truth.    John 1:14 Amp.

 

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.        John 1:16  Amp.

 

There had been no word from God to His people for four hundred years – and now He will speak through His Son.  John begins his account of the Lord's work on earth by introducing us to five disciples who were drawn to Jesus  (John 1:35-51).  They wanted to know Him – they were the first hungry hearts We see the Spirit of the Father began drawing mankind into relationship with His Son. Something amazing is about to happen!